prince of peace

Prince of Peace

~ mercyfortheday ~ 2 Comments

It was her first pregnancy, but heaven knows it wouldn’t be her last. And this babe she was carrying was called the Son of the Most High. His birth had been prophesied many years earlier, but no one knew the timeline. He wasn’t expected at this particular moment in history. And Mary definitely wasn’t expecting to be expecting the Savior of the world. Ever. She just wasn’t. And neither was her future husband, Joseph. Sure. They were planning to marry and have a family, but family before marriage just wasn’t acceptable. It was unthinkable with serious consequences.

Even the mystery surrounding the conception brought division between Mary and Joseph. She knew she was a virgin. But, in the moment, she couldn’t just prove it to Joseph. And he had every right to suspect her of being unfaithful. It was a quandary of even the most modern of times. Pregnancies didn’t just happen without consummation. But this is exactly what happened. And it was difficult to explain. And even more difficult to prove.

Joseph could have had Mary put to death for this act of adultery. It took a miracle of trust and faith for Joseph to move ahead in the relationship. But he stepped forward to claim her as his wife, even when he could have stepped out of the picture. Although this child conceived supernaturally would not have his DNA, the child would be counted in the family line of David. It may not make sense to those of us on earth. But to an all-knowing, all-seeing, always present God, it doesn’t have to make sense to us in order for it to be right and true and good. God had spoken.

If Mary and Joseph knew the prophecies about Jesus, they would have known that he was to be the Prince of Peace. But in those moments of confusion and chaos, perhaps peace wasn’t their first thought. Mary. Confused about being pregnant while an unmarried virgin stood to lose her life. Joseph. His thoughts went to divorce because his betrothed was pregnant with a child not his. But as they each privately stepped back and listened to the words of the angel, the plan made perfect sense. Oh. In future days, confusion and chaos would return as their news spread to an unsuspecting world. But in their private moments, they each came to the acceptance and understanding of something far greater than themselves. Confusion and chaos could wait for another day. Today. In this quiet moment. Peace reigned in their hearts. They were at rest with God’s plan to allow them to parent this God child. They would move forward with God leading the way. There was no turning back.

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:31-33

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Also. If Mary and Joseph knew the prophecies surrounding the promised Messiah, they would know that the government would rest on his shoulders. What does that even mean? Having something resting on your shoulders seems to be a very heavy burden to bear. An unbearable yoke. Yet it would be on him. How does a Prince of Peace carry a heavy burden and proclaim peace? Jesus would lay down his will and accept the authority to rule on earth as it is in heaven. He would have full responsibility of bearing the sins of all the world. He would suffer and die for the sins of all mankind. That is a heavy burden to bear for a mere mortal. But he was God Incarnate.

He would be called Wonderful Counselor. And who isn’t looking for a wonderful counselor these days? Certainly those in Bethlehem were. And yet. They didn’t know that the new baby born in an unnamed stable was their Wonderful Counselor. Little did they know that he would rule the world. The name of Mighty God points straight to God himself. Jesus would do things only God could do. And as Everlasting Father, he pointed to eternity. His wouldn’t be an earthly reign. His would be eternal.

Jesus is the originator of peace. But in a world full of chaos and confusion, peace seems to elude us. And the reason peace eludes us is because we’re not looking to the originator of peace. We’ve trying to find peace and fulfillment in things of this world. Not eternal things. And so we’re constantly on the hunt for peace. It always seems to be around the corner. But the plan for eternal peace begins with Jesus Christ. His heavy burden of dying on the old rugged cross for our sins brings the peace to each of us as we bow and repent of our sins. The peace that knows no ending does not have to be elusive. It can be eternal. If only we turn over the chaos and confusion and control of our lives to him. The peace will reign in our hearts. And we can truly call him our own personal Prince of Peace.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Happy Birthday

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Her third pregnancy.  She was bigger than she should have been a month before her due date.  An x-ray was suggested.  There were no ultrasounds in her day.   Two weeks before Christmas, the news was shared.  Twins.  They were having twins.

Early Christmas morning.  A month to go when her water breaks.  Twin girls.  Womb mates.  Born too soon.

There were already two children at home.  A 4-year old and a 2-year old.  Oh. They were wanted.  They were loved.  They were welcome.  Perhaps not by their older brother.  After all.  His Christmas had been ruined.  It was the worst Christmas ever.  That’s what he said.

I can understand.  What kid wants to be dragged out of bed in the middle of the night and go to Grandma’s house.  Especially when he knew the next morning was Christmas.  No time to open the presents under the tree.  No 4-year old would be happy about that.

Identical twins born on Christmas Day was unusual.  The births were announced on the radio.  Celebrations were in order.

So the family celebrated.  Gifts were given.  Double gifts.  Matching clothes.  Two of everything.

They were small babies.  Premature.  They were kept at home for 4 months while they grew.  Oh.  They had visitors.  Curious onlookers.  Friends and family anxious to see twins.  Twin births in the family weren’t unusual.  Twin births seem to be hereditary on both sides of the family.  It was meant to be.

The parents took them home to a small house.  Four kids.  An outdoor bathroom.  It was winter.  Some nights the babies would sleep between their parents, so they could be kept warm.

Two years later, the family had moved.  Farm country.  Again, it was winter.  All day, they smelled smoke but saw nothing.  Until it was too late.   The home engulfed in flames was burned to the ground. Everything they owned was gone.  Fire in the attic, they were told.  The oldest, now six, arrived home from school to find his family homeless.

The father built the family home.  Three more sons were added.  The twins grew.  They left home.  Married men of God.  They faithfully serve where God has planted them.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  Isaiah 9:6-7

His birth had been predicted. The teenage mother was caught unaware. Oh.  She had heard the prophecies.  Never did she imagine she would be chosen to carry this child.  Virgin birth.   She was engaged.  This pregnancy could end her life.  If she was found guilty of adultery.  How did the man know she was telling the truth?  He thought to divorce her.  Privately.  But God spoke to him.  In a dream.  Marry her.  He said.  She has been faithful to you.  She is mine.  The baby is mine.  Name him Jesus.

It was tax season.  Time to be counted.  Joseph and Mary, heavy with child, arrived in Bethlehem.  Alone and lonely.  Tired and tried.  The stable was empty, save for the animals. Nowhere else to stay.  They sat to rest.  And sleep.  Just the two of them.  The baby arrived.  What had been a quiet night, a night to catch their breath, suddenly became eventful.

If they had dared to question the child’s sovereignty before his birth, they now knew who he was.  He truly was God’s son.  What other explanation could there be for all the strange happenings?

Angels announced his birth.  Shepherds came to worship.  Wise men later brought gifts.  Another dream.  Move the child.  It isn’t safe.  Oh.  They knew he was the savior of the world.  They had heard prophesies about their son.  What he would accomplish.  What he would suffer.  But who knew where they were?  Who was hunting for them?  They must protect their child.  God’s child.  At all costs.

Those in authority felt threatened.  How could a newborn baby be a ruler?  How could a 2-year old overthrow their government?  He must be found and removed.  Along with many boys age 2 and under.  None were exempt.

He became wiser every year.  He grew into a man.  He grew closer to God.  He was well respected.  Until he wasn’t.

He was born to die.  He died for all.